Bajrang Punia Biography: Without question, Haryana has emerged as the Indian wrestling mecca. More than half of the Indian wrestlers now competing have hailed from the state; the majority of these talents have won gold for their country, with Bajrang Punia leading the way. In this blog, we will delve into the life of professional wrestler Bajrang Punia, including his age, accomplishments, accolades, and much more.
Bajrang Punia Biography
Bajrang Punia Journey
On February 26, 1994, Bajrang Punia was born in Khudan village, in the Jhajjar district of the state of Haryana.
His family relocated to Sonepat in 2015 so he could attend the Sports Authority of India’s Regional Center. As a result, the sport has now expanded to nearby areas, with Jhajjar and Rohtak emerging as its leading cities.
Being a freestyle wrestler is considered an honor in the region, and the children of Jhajjar embrace the sport like ducks to water. Every hamlet has an akhara where children compete in the mud in the morning and evening.
This is also where Bajrang Punia received his initial training in wrestling.
Bajrang Punia Workout
Bajrang Punia Wrestling Career
- Bajrang Punia first gained notoriety when he placed third in the 60 kg division at the 2013 Asian Wrestling Championship.
- A year later, he advanced even further by winning the silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (in the 61 kg division).
- Bajrang defeated Masoud Esmailpour Jouybari of Iran 1-3 in the men’s freestyle 61 kg final at the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea, where he took home the silver medal.
- Punia took up the silver medal in the men’s freestyle 61 kg class at the 2014 Asian Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.
- Bajrang Punia received the Arjuna Award in 2015.
- He took home a gold medal from the Asian Wrestling Championship in Delhi in May of 2017.
- He won the silver medal in the U-23 Senior World Wrestling Championships in November 2017. In the Olympic weight class, it was also his first medal at the international level.
- In the Pro Wrestling League, his net worth was Rs 29.5 lakh when he was acquired by the Bangalore team.
- In the 65 kg men’s freestyle division, he took home the gold medal from the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. To win the gold, he defeated Wales’ Kane Charig via technical superiority.
Bajrang Punia Awards
| Awards and honors | |
|---|---|
| Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award | 2021 |
| Arjuna Award | 2015 |
| Padma Shri | 2019 |
| Haryana Gaurav Award | 2019 |
| FICCI India Sports Awards | Sportsperson of the Year (2019) |
Bajrang Punia and Yogeshwar Dutt
Yogeshwar Dutt, an Olympian, believes Punia is the finest wrestler in India for this weight class. Before the CWG 2018 got underway, Yogeshwar praised his prodigy profusely. “Bajrang can win an Olympic medal,” he remarked. He is a diligent young man whose endurance is his greatest asset. He will undoubtedly take home medals from the Senior Asian Championship, the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and Tokyo 2020. Bajrang has Olympic potential.
Indian Wrestling controversies
For most of 2016, wrestling made headlines for all the wrong reasons. From a contentious legal dispute to a humiliating doping scandal, the series of events that ensued ultimately brought the sport into disrepute.
Yogeshwar Dutt, who finished third in the London Games, did not meet the expected standards and ended his Olympic career with a dismal loss in the qualifying round. Even if Sakshi Malik’s bravery brought some comfort, the shock and humiliation India felt upon Narsingh’s expulsion from the Olympics were too much to bear.
A minor altercation between Narsingh and Sushil Kumar over a men’s 74kg freestyle Olympic berth turned into a vicious slanging match that resulted in a legal battle. Although Narsingh prevailed in court, the ordeal was far from over, as his blood sample tested positive for a prohibited substance.
Another legal battle to clear his name ensued. Narsingh maintained his innocence, claiming that his water and food supplements had been tampered with as part of a plot against him. WFI even backed the wrestler wholeheartedly, endorsing his allegation of sabotage.
Narsingh’s clean sheet issued by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) was eventually rejected by the ad hoc division of the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), which resulted in a four-year penalty for failing a drug test.
The WFI president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, is accused by wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia of sexually abusing female wrestlers in January 2023. The wrestlers had asked the Home Minister and the Prime Minister to step in and remove him. However, the objection was retracted following the establishment of an oversight committee to look into the issue.
On April 23, though, the protestors resurrected their demonstration after seven female wrestlers—among them a minor—attempted to file a complaint against the organization, but the police declined to file a formal complaint.
But later, the Supreme Court’s ruling allowed the police to file two First Information Reports (FIRs) against the WFI chief. The POCSO Act was used to file the first formal complaint against him for sexual harassment of a child, and the other women wrestlers’ accusations formed the basis for the second FIR.
Pro Wrestling League
To put our athletes in front of the greatest talent in the world, the Pro Wrestling League essentially seeks to bring in the highest caliber of competition.
Indian wrestlers have the chance to compete on their mats against wrestlers from around the globe. The team’s Olympians and world champions can teach young wrestlers a lot.
Bajrang Punia Biography: FAQs
Who is Bajrang Punia, and what is his wrestling career like?
An Indian wrestler named Bajrang Punia has gained notoriety in the freestyle wrestling community. At the Olympic Games, World Championships, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games, he has won numerous medals.
What are the awards that Bajrang Punia received?
Several distinguished accolades and prizes, including the Padma Shri, Arjuna Award, and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, have been bestowed upon Bajrang Punia.
What social causes does Bajrang Punia support?
Using his position as a wrestler, Bajrang Punia has actively supported social causes and brought attention to problems including female infanticide, child labor, and environmental preservation. He has also tried to better the lives of impoverished children in India and donated to several charitable causes.
